Sunday, July 12, 2009

Govinda Damodara Stotram of Sage Bilwa Mangala

(This Stotra has been composed by Sage Bilvamangala, who is also known as Lila Sukha. His greatest work of course is Sri Krishna Karnamritha, Nothing much is known about the period in which, this great sage lived. There is a general agreement that he belongs to South India, visited Dwaraka and later visited Brindavan and attained Samadhi there. Some people believe that he was from Andhra Pradesh. Taking in to account the fact, that He is a part of large number of folk tales of Kerala (Bilwamangalathu Swamiyar), His verse from Sri Krishna Karnamrutha is the first verse of the very popular Bala Mukundashtakam which is recited in Kerala And also the fact, that he refers to wearing of tiger claw (A practice in Kerala) by the young Krishna in several places, I tend to agree with the school of thought that he originally belonged to Kerala, The Govinda-Damodhara Stotram is the ecstasic outpouring of pure unalloyed Bhakti of this great savant to Lord Krishna. He pictures all the devotees of Lord Krishna, sharing his ecstasy and so deeply drunk by these names, that they do not talk of anything else under all circumstances that they are in. One of the stanzas is from Bhagwatham and few resemble the verses of Mukunda mala. I am sure that before you complete reading this, you would also be intoxicated by the name of Lord Krishna)

When in front of Kurus and Pandavas,Dushasana dragged her by her cloths and hair,Angered , Draupadi seeing no other lord,Called “Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara ,Oh Madhava.”

Govinda- He who lifted the earth(Go) Or He who is the chief of cows Damodhara -He who is known by knowledge got by self restraint Or He who was tied by Yasodha in the stomach Or He who keeps in his belly the world called DhamaMadhava- He who was born in the family of Madhu

Oh Lord of the lady of the lotus,As a baby sitting on the lap of Yasodha daintily,You used to drink milk from her breast,And she drowned in the bliss, used to address you, “Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava”

In the land of Vraja , when Krishna ,Was playing with youths of his age,Who looked after the cows, Addressing him alone, Yasodha called, That Krishna whom she loved as,“Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava”

Rarely in the mornings, with vessel full of curds,The young ladies used to put the churn in the pot,And saw Mukunda there and broke into variety,Of soulful music and started singing,“Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.”

When Krishna dedicates himself to play,Disregarding even food and bath,The great lady Yasoda with concern for him,And with overwhelming flood of love used to Call “Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.”

Having heard these words, the lovelorn crowd.Of the ladies of Brindavan , with a tumultuous mind,Threw away their sense of modesty , cried and repeated in a sad voice,“Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.”

(This verse is identical one with the Sloka in Bhagawatham which describes the reaction of Gopis to the words of sage Akroora .The poet must have taken it from there.)

When the lord with eyes like the lotus leaf,Tied the pigtails of the cowherd boys to the cow,His mother caught hold of his chin and told,“Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.”Prabhata kale vara vallavagha,Go rakshanartham drutha vethra dandai,Akaryam asurananthamaadhyam,Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 29

In the mornings fine, the chosen cow herd boys,Came holding sticks of cane to protect the cows,And called the causeless , limitless and primeval lord,“Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.”

The incomparable sages, meditate always on him As Govinda, Damodhara and MadhavaWho is the Giver of happy thoughts and is the cure for those worried,And is of bluish colour and with the sweet scent of musk.

Oh my toungue of my body, When the time comes for the award,Of punishments to the sins done by me,Please tell of your own accord.,Sweetly and with extreme devotion,Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava

Oh toungue , be pleased to drink now ,The nectar like names of lord of the soul,He who dresses himself with universe,He who killed Kaidabha, He who lives in Vaikunta,Narayana, holder of the holy wheel,Govinda, Damodara and Madhava.

Oh toungue , be pleased to drink now ,The nectar like names of the chief of yadavas, lifter of mountain,Lord with lotus eye who with expertise,Takes care of the happiness of cows, gopas and gopis,Govinda, Damodara and Madhava.

Oh toungue , be pleased to drink now ,The nectar like names of Ramachandra,Who is the soul of Janaki, who is ,The enemy of those who move at night,Who is the elder brother of Bharata,Govinda, Damodara and Madhava.

Oh toungue , be pleased to drink now ,The nectar like names of Govinda, Damodara and Madhava.,Which are not chanted by many peopleEven if they are able to chant them easily,And thus becomes the chief cause of their sorrow,